See New Slideshow of Lady Falcons’ Championship Game

Varsity ChampionsBy Patric Hedlund

“We are first place in the High Desert League,” Frazier Mountain High School varsity volleyball coach Sharon Lemburg announced after the FMHS Falcons played a challenging set of games against the Kern Valley Broncs Thursday, Nov. 4.

“We were 9-1 for league, and 18-3 for the season. We are rated 10th in the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section,” Lemburg summarized. The CIF playoffs include schools of all sizes.

“Our High Desert League champions played Tuesday against Beaumont in the playoffs. They won. They play Grace Brethren Thursday at 6 p.m. at Grace Brethren 1350 Cherry Ave., Simi Valley If we win that, we’ll play again on Saturday,” Lemburg said.

Unbeaten JVBy Coach Chuck Mullen

Two overtime games in the same three-game match challenged Falcon spirit on Thursday, Nov. 4. The girls junior varsity volleyball team polished off the season with a league-leading 10-0 record, but it was no easy task.

The JV Falcons survived a scare by the visiting Kern Valley Broncs when they went into overtime to beat KV 27-25 in the first game. Sami Bever distinguished herself with superlative serves throughout the match, acing out some of the toughest defenders the league had to offer. She started out strong but finished even stronger. Jenna Graves and Michelle Mullen made the tough hits and accurate passes to keep the Falcons in the match when things weren’t going well otherwise.

Even athletic newcomer Hannah Hargestam couldn’t hold back the charging Broncs as the Falcons ended up losing the second game in a squeaker: 24-26. It is customary for the Falcons to dispatch their foes in just two games straight but this match required a third tie-breaking game.

The third game saw a return to form of Katy Teare, Dana Jens, Heather Henderson and Alex Pivetti as the Falcons crushed the cheeky Broncs 15-4 in the final and deciding game. The third match saw the familiar digs, aces and kills one comes to expect of the Falcon teams.

Note from the coach: The win was bittersweet as I say ‘so long’ at season’s end to two junior players. Jenna Graves became a solid performer with regular ups and rare downs. She mastered front row and the back in her first year of volleyball. Presley Hall accepted the challenge to fill a crucial "setter" role when roster adjustments made it necessary. She excelled. I wish both of these ladies well in their efforts to join the Varsity Falcons next year.